Machine for cutting blanks



Jan. 1 1924' mmza I J. H. OVERTQN momma: FOR CUTTING BLANKS Fil ed April 12, 1919 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 MM m 1 @Nozmug-S Jan. 1, 1924 1,479,623

J. H. OVERTON MACHINE FOR CUTTING BLANKS Filed April 12, 1919 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 avnuenroz J. HIOVERTON MACHINE FOR QUTTIKIG BLANKS Filed April 12 1919 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 flaw/W ammz $1 A4 Gnome W flm, d

Jan. 1,

.J. H. OVERTON TING BLANKS MACHINE FOR CUT Filed April 12, 1919 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 Jan. 1 1924v v 1,479,623

J. H. OVERTON mdnms FOR cu'r'rme BLANKS 7 Filed A il, 12, 1919 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 f ,J. H. OVERTON MACHINE FOR CUTTING BLANKS Jan. 19

Fil ed April 12, 1919 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Patented Jan. 1, 1924-,

teases JOHN H. ovnnron, or seamen, new JERSEY, assrsnea'ro nsssa n ssae oom- PANY,-OF TRENTON, NEW'JEESEY, a'conrona'iiion or n'nwen'nsnv.

'MACI-IINE FOE CUTTING 'BLANKS.

Application filed. April i2, @919. Seria1 t-1o.'289,719.

T0 (ZZZ whom it may concern:

Be it known-that L-JOIIN H. ()vnRToN, a citizen ofthe United States, and a resident'of Trenton, New Jersey, have invented an I'mprovementin Machines for Cutt ng Blanks, of which the following is a speclfication.

My inventionfrelates to machines-tor cuttin blanks out of-material which'isspre'fera bly in sheet form. -More particularly, in'one of its: embodiments, my inr' entionre lates' to devices for cutting blanks of'such material, and especially to devices ior cutting blanks from material ina condition approaching a plastic state.

The object of the present invention is to generally improve devices of the character describefhso as to=render the same sin'iple inconstruction, and certain and eilicient in operation.

By way of example, I have illustrated a preferred embodiment of 'my'invention'in the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is a'view in endelevation o'tsaid embodiment V Fig; 2 is a-front elevation 'otthe same;

"Fig. 3 is an end elevatiomonan'enlarge'd scale, of a part'oithe machine comprising said embodiment, certain parts being broken away to make 'the showing clearer;

Fig. 4; is a front elevational v1ew,'on an enlarged scale, 01 a part of-"the machine during one stage'of its operation;

Fig. 5 is'a similar view 51"- saidportion duringanother stage of its operation;

Fig. 6 is a similar view of the same, partly in section, at still another stage of the operation of the machine;

Fig. 7 is a detail view, partly in section and'partly in elevatiom of a portion of the machine Fig.8 is a plan view of the feeding mechanism showing the same in two stages of its operation; 7

Fig. 9 is a plan viewof one form of'a device that may be einployedto move the sheet of materia towards the feeding'mechanism.

'Reterringto the illustrative embodiment herein shown and described byway of er;- ample-merely, 1 indicates asource of supply of material from which blanksare to be out. In the illustrative embodiment herein described, said'sourco of supply 1 may comprise a :roll of material in the form of a sheet 2 of rubber stockor"other"material approaching a plastic state or condition. Theroll is rotatably mounted-on a shaft .3 supported in suitable bearings l mounted on any-suitable part, as part 5,.01" the machine frame.

Since the act of feeding the-sheetiotmaterial to the cutting mechanismputs con siderable strain on the sheet, with consequent possibility of undesirable-stretching or distortion of the same, I prefer to provide mechanism tor so supplying theciutting mechanism with the materiahin sheet form from which the blanks a're to be made that said sheet'of material is presentedin a slack condition tothe feeding means and the associated blank cutting means. .V'hile various devices may'be employed for this purpose, I: p'ret'ertoemploy the means illustrated comprising "a plurality of feeding cylinders '6 and 7 I rotatably mounted in standards '8 which are positioned on -arm"9 forming a part "of-the machine frame.

Prei'erably cylinder 7 has the surtace thereof roughened, while the surfaceof cylinder G-issmooth. This-"arrangement, while providing eflicient means for "feeding-the sheet of material forward, due to the roughness of the surface of cylinder 7, still serves to provide one face 'Ofthematerial'Q with a smooth finish due *to the engagement of smooth cylinder 6 with one side oi sa-i'd sheet. l Vhile the ends of cylinder 7 are=rotatably mounted in fixed bearings 12, cylinder 6 is preferably mounted in bearings 10 slidably positioned iii-standards 8. Compression springs 11 are inserted between the fixed bearings 12 of cylinder '4' and the slidable=bearings 10 of cylinder 6. Adjustable means, such as the screws 13 mounted in standards 8, maybe provided to move bearings 10 towards or away from bearings 12 to thereby vary the pressure exerted 'on springs 11 to vary the pressure exerted in turn by cylinders G and 7 on sheet'Q.

Any suitable means may be employed for actuating cylinders (Sand 7 to thereby ad- Vance-sheet 2. In order to suitablysupport saidsheet during its actuation I provide a platform la mounted, as-shown, on arms 9 of the machine frame. Such actuating means may, as illustrated, comprise a triotion disk 1.5 mounted on main drive shaft 16 which is suitably driven, as by means of the friction pulleys 17, from any suitable source of power. Friction disk makes frictional driving contact with a friction pinion l8 suitably mounted on a shaft 19 which is supported in suitable bearings 20 carried by any suitable part of the machine frame, as by one of the standards 21. Shaft 19 carries at its upper end a bevel or other gear 22 which meshes with a similar gear carried by a shaft 24% which carries the rotatably mounted lowerroughened cylinder 7.

Suitable means are provided for feeding the sheet of material to the cutting mechanism. Preferably the action of feeding the sheet 2 to the cutting mechanism is intermittent, and the feeding means are preferably so disposed as to contact with a portion of the sheet of material of suflicient area to prevent substantial distortion of the material during the feeding operation. Such an arrangement is desirable so that the finished product or blank may be of uni form density and character.

For this purpose I may use the means illustrated more particularly in Figs. 3, 7 and 8 of the drawing. Such means may comprise a cam 25 provided with a. cam surface 26, said cam being mounted on the main drive shaft 16. Cam surface 26 engages a roller 27 mounted at the junction of two link members 28 and 29, the link member 29 being pivotally mounted at 30 on a suitable part, as a part 31, of the machine frame. Link member 28 is pivotally connected, as at 32, to a bar 33 which is provided with an adjustable pivot 341-.

At its upper end bar 33 carries a spherical or similar ball member 35 which engages a socket 36 in an actuating member 37 pivoted at 38 to any suitab e portion of the machine frame, as platform 39. At its other end actuating member 3'! 18 provided with a plurality of forked portions 40 and 4t through which passes a roller bearing 42. Roller bearing rides within a slot or groove 13 defined between a plurality of members at and suitably mounted, as on plz'itform 39. In order to raise or elevate members 4H: and so that lower forked member 41 may pass under the same, I provide blocks 46 for suitably positioning members 4A and 45 at a predetermined distauce from platform 39.

Adjustable pivot may be adjusted by means of a slidable bearing 34* which has a threaded aperture cooperating with a screw 34" which is mounted in any suitable portion of the machine frame, as at 34;, so as to be rotatable to raise or lower bearing 34 and its associated pivot 34 to thereby vary the throw or travel of the feeding mechanism in each direction.

Pivotally associated with roller bearing 12 is a connecting member l'l-to which is adjustably attached, as at 4:8, a second connecting member as which is in turn attached to the feeding mechanism, generally designated by reference numeral 50.

While various types of feeding mechanisms may be employed, I prefer to use the means illustrated, comprising a plurality of tracks or bars 51 attached, as at 52, to a member 53 suitably connected to member 49. These tracks or bars 51 engage grooves 54 in the standard 55 which may be suitably positioned, as on a platform 56, forming a part of the machine frame. Member 53, as more clearly shown in Fig. 8, carries a plurality of blocks 5?. Blocks 57 are provided with a plurality of bearings 58 for pivotally supporting a catch member 59 having a serrated edge 60. Catch member 59 is suitably attached to a rod or other support 61. Spring or other means, such as the two coil springs 62, are provided for urging, member 59 so as to bring its serrated edge downwardly against the sheet of material 2.

A guide member or lip 63 is provided for guiding the sheet of material 2 towards the feeding and cutting mechanism. Guiding member or lip 63 may be suitably supported, as by mounting the same between blocks 57. In order to more accurately guide the sheet 2 to the feeding and cutting mechanism, I may provide also a plurality of side members or lips 64. Side members 64 are slidably mounted on a rod 65 which is arried by the blocks or projections 66 which are in turn carried by blocks 5?. Any suitable means, such as the screws shown, be employed for positioning lips 64 in their adjusted positions.

The feeding mechanism proper comprises an upper feeding member 6'? and a lower feeding member 68. The upper feeding member 67 comprises a plate 69 which is attached to a plurality of flexible strips or members 70.' Suitably attached to the inner end of plate 69 are a plurality of spaced spring fingers 71. The lower feeding member 68 comprises a plate '72 of springy material provided with a plurality of spaced spring fingers 73, preferably integral. with plate 72. Plates 69 and 72 are maintained in proper spaced relation to each other by means of end blocks 74-. The flexible mem= bers are mounted on suitable bolts 7 5 and are pulled down by means of a plurality of springs 76 mounted upon a plurality of studs 77, preferably carried by plate 53. The action of springs 76 tends to raise feeding members 67 and 68 upwardly and slightly away from member 53.

The feeding mechanism just described operates to intermittently feed the sheet of material 2 to the cutting mechanism, generally designated by reference numeral 78. In this connection it may be stated that the serrated edge of member 59 and the disposition of such member serve to help the forward feeding motion of the sheet 2 to the cutting mechanism by preventing said sheet from slipping backwards, while in the return or backward movement of the feeding mechanism the disposition of member 59is such as to permit the readywithdrawalof the feeding mechanism from the sheet which is held in its advanced position by i cans subsequently to be set forth.

The cutting mechanism 78 may cornurise any suitable means, but preferably the means illustrated, consisting of a hollow die 7 9 removably attached, as at 80, to platform 56, which platform is provided with an opening 81 therethrough and communica ing and in alignmen withthe opening 82 of said hollow die 79.

Cooperating with said hollow die 79 is a cutting block 83 carried by a suitable number of, herein shown as four, studs or posts s4: which are suitably attached to the head or cross member 85 which is in turn attached to the rods or pitmans 80. These rods or pitmans are preferably, as shown, four in number, and are r ciprocatably supported in any suitable portion of the machine frame, herein shown as comprising the bear ngs 8?. At each end of the machine a pair oflthe rods or pitmans 86 is attached to a cross member 8? to which is pivotally connected, as at 88, an operating member 89 attached to eccentric sleeve 90. Said eccentric sleeve 90 is mounted on an eccentric 91 which is in turn keyed or otherwise attached to shaft 16.

it will thus be noted that the rotation of shaft 16 carrying eccentric 91 about which is positioned the eccentric sleeve 90 serves to reciprocate its associated pair of rods or pitmans 86, to'thereby reciprocate head 85 and cutting block 83 carried thereby towards and away from the cutting edge 92 of a hollow die '79. in this connection it may be stated that as a result of the provision of spring members '76, which act to raise feeding mem bers 67 and 58 away from member 53, the sheet of material 2 carried between saic feeding members 67 and 6S and intermitently actuated in a forward direction over the cutting die 79, will be slightly raised away from cutting edge 92, except when cutting block 88 depresses the sheet into'operative contact with said edge 92. On raising the cutting block, after the cutting operation is completed, spring 76 will then operate to move the waste stock away from the edge of the cutting die to enable the sheet of material 2 to be advanced without hindrance for the next cutting operation.

I provide suitable means for retaining the sheet of material-2 in position for the cutting operation, during the withdrawal of the feeding members 67 and 68. Such means may 'comprise'the means illustrated, consisting of .a vertically movable retaining member 93 reciprocatably mounted in a plurality of opposed slots 94 in standards 55 for 11X- edly retaining the sheet2 in a forward position during the withdrawal of feeding members 67 and 68. v

Retaining member 93 is preferably provided with a plurality of projections 95 and 96 to which are suitably attached contraction springs97 and 98, one end of each spring being attached to its respective member95' or 96, as the case may be,'while the other ,ends are attached to the respective standards 55. These springs urge members 93 downwardly. Member 93 is provided at its lower edge with a plurality of teeth or pins 99 which, when member 93 is in its lowermost or operative position, engage sheet 2 intermediate the over-lapping pairs of spring fingers 71 and 73 of feeding mem bers 67' and 68, respectively.

As shown more clearly in Fig. 7, each standard 55 is provided with a dog 100 pivoted, as at 101, to said standard. The upper or detent end 102 of each dog 100 is provided with an expansion sprin 103, one end of which is attached, as at 104, to said detent end 102 of dog 100, while the other end of the spring is attached as at 105 to a suitable portion of standard The other or actuating end of each dog 100, here designated by the reference numeral 100, is adapted to intermittently engage a wedge shaped cam member 107 which is carried by its respective reciprocating tracl; member Also attached to each standard 55, as by beingpivoted thereto, as at 108, is a second dog 109 having an operative or raising end portion 110, and an actuated portion 111 which is-adapt-ed to be intermittently engaged by the respective blocks 112 carried by cutting block 83. The retaining member 93 is provided with a plurality of oppositely disposed projections 113 for engagement with the retaining ends 102 of dog 100. The actuating end 111 of each dog 109 is provided with a stop orextension 11% to limit the angle of oscillation of said dog during the operation of the machine. Preferably member 93 is provided at each end thereof with a cut away portion 93 for engagement with the detent end 102 of therespeetive dogs 100.

Suitable means are provided for ejecting the cut blank through the hollow die 79 when the cutting operation is completed. For this purpose I prefer to use the mechanism illustrated comprising, as best shown in Figs. l,5, and 6, an ejecting member 115 mounted on a'plurality of members or studs 116 which pass through cutting block 83 and also through a pad or buffer 117, which may be of rubber or the like, and which adapted to take up the shock of operation of ejecting member 115. Studs 116 are carried by a plate-lilte member 118 which is pivotallycarried by a member 119 pivoted to member 118, as at 120. Member 119 is pivoted to an operating lever 121, as at 121, which is in turn pivoted, as at 122, to any suitable portion of the machine frame, as head 85.

Lever 121 carries at its inner end a projection 123 for engagement with a paw 12 1 whicn is pivoted, as at 125, to any suitable portion of the machine frame, as to a block 126 attached to head 85. At one end, pawl 12 1- is provided with an expansion spring 127 hich tends to maintain said end of pawl 12% in depressed or low position. Pawl is provided with a pin 128 which engages in a slot 129 of a second lever 130, also pivoted to any suitable portion of the ma chine frame, as to pivot 122. Lever 130 is provided with a cut away or slotted portion 131 to permit said lever to move without interruption past pivot 125.

Passing through member 118 are a plurality of studs or posts 132 about each of which is a coiled expansion spring 133 norn'ially tending to force member 118 downwardly against cutting block 83 to thereby move ejecting member 115 into downward or operative position.

Cooperating with the other ends of levers 121 and 130 is a latch member 13s pivoted as at 135 to any suitable portion of the machine frame, as to the block 136. Latch member 13-1 is forwardly pressed by an expansion spring 137 interposed between the upper free end of latch member ans any suitable portion of the machine frame, as standard Latch member 13-1 is provided with a catch portion 139 and a cam or operating portion 140, the catch portion 13? cooperating with the rear end of lever 130, while the cam portion cooperates with the rear end of lever 121.

The operation of the machine will be substantially clear from the foregoing descrip tion. The material of which the blank, sneh as the sole blank shown herein for purposes of illustration, is to be made, is unwound from roll 1, and the sheet 2 is forwardly fed by means of rollers (3 and 7 to the feeding and cutting mechanism. The speed of operation of feeding rollers 6 and 7 is so chosen and the amount of material between the rollers and the feeding mechanism is so predetermined that sheet 2 will be presented in a slack condition to the feeding mechanism to prevent distortion of the same during the feeding operation.

F or the purpose of thus regulating the speed w 11Cl1 rollers 6 and 7 feed the sheet of material 2 towards the feeding and severing mechanism, 1 may utilize the mechanism more clearly shown in Fi 1, and comprising a collar 1 11 rotatably carrying friction amaze pinion 18. Collar 141 may be adjusted by means of a screw member 142 and an adjustable screw head 1&3, said screw and head being carried by member 1&1 attached to any suitable portion of the machine frame, as to standard 89. The actuation of screw 1 12 by means of head 1 13 mounted on bearings 144;, through which shaft 19 freely passes, serves to move friction pinion 18 towards or away from the center of friction disk 15, to thereby vary the speed of rotation of shaft 19 and therefore of feeding rollers G and 7.

The sheet of material 2, preferably in the slack cond'tion described, passes under lip 63, between end lips 6st, and in between the upper and lower reciprocating feeding members 67 and 68. is already stated, 1 prefer to make the area of contact of said feeding members with the sheet 2 of such size as to prevent substantial distortion of the material during the feeding operation. F or this purpose 1 may provide the spaced spring lingers 71 and 73 which are normally pressed towards each other and yieldingly hold and retain between them a substantial area of the sheet 2 during the forward feeding operation.

lhe feeding mechanism is forwardly actuated by means of cam member 25, 1 rovided with the cam surface 28, through the mediation of roller 27, actuating member 33, adjustably pivoted at 3%, actuating member 35, and the pivoted, forked member 3'? which attached to the feeding mechanism by means of plate 49. As the sheet is forwardly fed, it is prevented from slipping backwards between lingers 71 and 73 by means of catch member 59 having the ser- -d edge and urged downwardly against sheet 2 by means of the springs 62. It may here be stated, however, that the catch memer does not hinder the witlidrawal of the feeding mechanism in i s reverse or backward movement, in view of the forwardly inclined position of said catch member 59.

The forward actuation of the feeding mechanism brings such mechanism and. the

sheet of material 2 carried thereby into the position illustrated in full lines in Fig. 8,

the cutting (lie being shown in dotted lines at 79. in this position it will be noted thatv the sheet of material and the feeding mechanism carrying the same iswell beyond and over cutting die 69. At this point of the operation of the feeding mechanism, the vertically movable retaining member 93 will be substantially in the position shown in F 7 of the drawing. The further actuation of the feeding mechanism, in the direction indicated by the horizontal arrow in Fig. 7, operates to bring the wedge-shaped cam member 107 against the actuating end 106 of each dog to thereby pivotally move the detent end 102 of said dog 100 out from under projection 113 against the aclll) Cir

tion of spring 103. This causes 1110111 091 93 to drop downwardly under the action of springs 97 so as to bring pins or teeth99 into engagement with sheet 2 at those portions thereof which lie between the opposing pairs of fingers Hand 73.

At this point the feeding mechanism 50 will begin its reverse or baclnvard movement. The sheet-2 will however remainin its forward or'advanced position due to its being retained in such position by the action of retaining member '93. It will also be noted, as already stated, that member 59 will not prevent the withdi awal ofthe-feeding mechanism although during the forward feeding movementit compels the sheet 2 to advance with the feeding mechanism.

Then thefeeding mechanism 50 commences its return movement back-to its original position, as indicated by the dotted lines in Fig. 3, the cutting block 83 starts its downward movement; Elie:reciprocation of cutting block 83, as already made clear, is brought about by its attachment by means of posts 8 1 to head '85 which is attached to the rods 01"}3111'11911886,-Wl110l1 are in turn attached to the eccentric sleeves so as to be reciprocatedthereby, to thereby reciprocate head 85 and cutting block 83 carried thereby.

As cut-ting block 83*approaches thatportion ot'sheet'2 which :is over the cutting die 79, the feeding mechanism will havereturned to its rcarorbackw-ard position, illustrated in dotted lines in Fig. 9; Th'e'furth'er actuationof cutting block 83 in a downward direction first brings the ejecting memberll into contactwit-h that portion of the sheet 2 which lies immediately within theoutlines of cutting edge 92 of di'e 7 9. This enga ement will serveto position or bring sheet 2 "to bear on the cutting the 79 'against the action oi springs 76'which normallytend -toiaise sheet 2 away from the cutting edge 92 0t die 79.

cuttingblock 83 continues to descend, itis broughtito bear with considerable pressure against sheet 2 .to thereby cause cutting edge 92 of die 79 to sever sheet:2 to form a blank 1 1:5, more clearly shown in 6. T he cutting action resulting in the formation ot blanl-z corresponds to the lower most position of cutting block 33. Thereafter sa d block, head 35, and associated mechanism start their return or upward movement.

Before said upward movement is commenced, however. the downward movement of block 83 and its associated end blocks 1'12 brings said end blocks into contact with the actuating ends 111 of-sdogs-109; This cause said dogs to be moved pivotallyin a downward direction at said ends 111, as indicated by. the vertical. arrow in Fig, 7, thereby causing the elevationjof actuating ends 110 ilk S tion 123 of lever 121.

of said dogs 109. This last action causes member 93 to be once more elevatedinto raised position so as to cause projections 113 to be engaged by retaining ends 104 of dogs 100. This action will be permitted since by this time the wedge-shaped cams 107 will have moved to the left, as illustrated in Fig. 7, to once more permit springs 103 to inwardly press ends 102 of dogs to bringsaid ends into engagement with projections 113; The raising of member 93 is brought about the engagement ofends of dogs 109 with the cut away portions 93 of'said member 93.

hortly after cutting block 83 has started its return or upward movement, and/mem ber 93 has been restored to itsraised or. elevated position, ejectingmember 115will be actuated to remove blank145 from. hollow die 79; It may here'be noted that, as already-stated, the action ofsprin-gs76 will already have servedto raise the waste ma terial at the end of the sheet2 slightly away from the cutting edge 92'of die 79, such springs serving-before the cutting operation; to maintain sheet 2 slightly above and-free from said cutting edge.

As the-reciprocating head 85 and the associated cutting block 83 and other mechanism carried by said head start on their return movement, the rear end of lever 130 will be retained bathe catch portion 139 of latch member134. The continued rise of head 85 and pivot l22 associated'with said head causes lever 130, by the engagement of slot 131 with pin on'pawl 1241, to tilt or pivot pawl 12 1 about pivot 125. This action moves pawl 12 101113 01 engagement with" the projec- Tlierelease of lever 121,- by the withdrawal ot' pawl 124, permits member 119 carrying-member118, which in turn carries the ejecting'member 115, to drop, to thereby eject bla'nk 1415 from hollow-die 79. This action is rendered more positive by the provision of a plurality of coiled expansion springs 133 mounted about a plurality oti'pi-ns or posts 132 positioned between-head 85 and cutting block 83.

The continuedrise of head85carrying pivot 122; to which-levers 121 and are pivoted, -causes lever 121 to be gradually elevated by the'engagementof the rear end of said lever-with the cam portion of latclrmember 134, an expansion spring 137 being. provided to keep; latch member I 13.1 in contact with the rear ends of levers 121 and 130 atthe desired periods of the operation o't-the machine. When such lever 130 has been raised sufficiently tobring-projection 123 and the'assoclated members 115 and 118' into armor-e elevated position, sprh 127,

operating at the rear endo-t pawl 12 1 acts .to once more bring said pawl into retaining now ready for the next ejection operation, as alread described. I

The ejected blank 1 15 falls onto a con" veyor 148, more clearly shown in Figs. 1 and 2, said conveyor passing beneath'the aligned openings 78 and 81 of the hollow die '79 and the platform 82, respectively. Said conveyor 1 18 is moved by means of a pulley 141-9 mounted on the main drive shaft 16 of the machine. The conveyor passes over a suitable guide roll 150 in order to minimize friction and wear during the operation of the same.

It is of course to be understood that my invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiment herein shown and described by way of example merely.

What I claim is:

1. In a machine for cutting blanks of a sheet of material in a condition approaching a plastic state, the combination of reciprocatory feeding means engaging a portion of said material of sufficient area to prevent substantial distortion of the material during the feeding operation, cutting means operating alternately with the feeding means, and constantly acting feeding means arranged to draw the sheet from a source of supply and deliver it in slack condition to the reciprocatory means.

2, In a machine for cutting blanks of a sheet of material in a condition approaching a plastic state, feeding means comprising a plurality of members contacting with both sides of a portion of said material of sufficient area to prevent substantial distortion of the material during the feeding operation, means for imparting reciprocating motion to said feeding means, and means associated with said feeding means for assisting said 'feeding means in advancing said material during the forward movement of said feeding means while permitting the same to be withdrawn during the backward movement of the same without substantial backward movement of said material.

3. In a machine for cutting blanks of a sheet of material in a condition approaching a plastic state, feeding means comprising a plurality of members resiliently contacting with both sides of a portion of said material of sufficient area to prevent substantial distortion of the material during the feeding operation, means for imparting reciprocating motion to said feeding means, and means associated with said feeding means for assisting said feeding means in advancing said material during the forward movement of said feeding means while permitting the same to be withdrawn during the backward movement of the same without substantial backward movement of said material.

4. In a machine .for cutting blanks of a sheet of a material in a condition approaching a plastic state, feeding means comprising a plurality of members resiliently holding between them a portion of said material, one of said members being provided with a plurality of spaced, resilient, material-engaging portions.

5. In a machine for cutting blanks of a sheet of a material in a condition approaching a plastic state, feeding means comprising a plurality of members resiliently holding between them a portion of said material, each of said members being provided with a plurality of spaced, resilient, material-engaging portions.

6. In a machine for cutting blanks of a sheet of a material in a condition approaching a plastic state, feeding means comprising aplurality of members resiliently holding between them a portion of said material of sufficient area to prevent substantial distortion of the material during the feeding oper ation, one of said members being provided with a plurality of spaced, resilient, material-engaging portions.

7. In a machine for cutting blanks of a sheet of a material in a condition approaching a plastic state, feeding means comprising a plurality of members resiliently holding between them a portion of said material of suflicient area to prevent substantial distortion of the material during the feeding operation, each of said members being provided with a plurality of spaced, resilient, material-engaging portions.

8. In a machine for cutting blanks of a sheet of a material in a condition approaching a plastic state, feeding means comprising a plurality of members resiliently holding between them a portion of said material, one of said members being provided with a plurality of spaced, resilient, material-engaging portions, means for imparting reciprocating motion to said feeding means, and means associated with the feeding means for assisting the same in advancing said material during the forward movement of said feeding means while permitting the same to be withdrawn during the backward movement of the same without substantial backwaru movement of said material,

9. In a machine for cutting blanks of a sheet of a material in a condition approaching a plastic state, feeding means comprising a plurality of members resiliently holding between them a portion of said material, each of said members being provided with a plurality of spaced, resilient, materialcngaging portions, means for imparting reciprocating motion to said feeding means, and means associated with the feeding means for assisting the same in advancing said material during the forward movement of said feeding means while permitting the same to be withdrawn during the backward movement of the same without substantial backward movement of $9.101 material.

10. In machine toncutting blanks of a sheet ota material in a condition approaching a plastic state, feeding means compris n a machine. for cutting blanks of a sheetof material in a condition approaching a plastic state, feeding means comprising a plurality of members resiliently holdingbet-ween them portion of saidmaterial or" sutllcientarea to prevent substantial distortionof the material, each out said members being; provided with a plurality of spaced, resilient, material-engaging portions, means for imparting reciprocating motion to said feeding means,and means as-v sociated with the feeding means for assisting thesame in. advancing said material during the forward movement of said feeding means while permitting the same to be withdr wn during the backward movement oftlie same without substantialbackward movement of said material.

12- In a machine for cuttingblanks of a sheet of a material in a condition approaching plastic state, feeding means comprising a plurality of members contacting with both sides of a portion of said material'ot sufiicient area to prevent substantial distortion of the material dnrin' the feeding operation, means for imparting; reciprocating motion to said "feeding means, means associated with said feeding-means for assisting said feeding means in advancing said material during the forward movement of said feeding means while permittin the same to be withdrawn duringthe bee ard movement of the same w shoutsubstantial backward movement of said material, and means for prescnting a portion oi said material in slack condition to said feeding;

means. i

In a machine for cutting blanks of a sheet of a material in a condi ion approaching a plastic state, feeding means operable to alternately grip and release the sheet comprising plurality of members resiliently contacting with both sides of a portic-n said material of snficient area to prevent substantial distortion of the mtterial 1 during the feeding operation, and

means forprcsenting a-portion ofsaid material in slack condition, to said. feeding means.

14. In a' machine for'cutting'blanks of a sheet of a material in a'condition approach. ing a plastic state, feeding means'comprisa plurality of members resiliently contacting with both sidesot a portion of said material of suliicient area to prevent sub stantial distortion of the material during the feeding operation, means for imparting reciprocating motion to said feeding means, means 1 associated with said. feeding means for assisting" said feeding means in advancing said material during theforward movement of said feeding means while permitting the same to be withdrawn duringthe backward movement of the same without substantial backward movement of said ma-, terial, and means for presenting a portion of said. material in slack condition to saidfeeding means.

In amachine for cutting blanks of a sheet of a material in a condition approaching a plastic state, feeding means comprising a plurality of members contacting with both sides ota portionaof said material of sufiicient area, to prevent substantial distortion of the material during the feedingoperation, means for: imparting reciprocating motion to said feeding means, means associated, with 'isaidfieeding means :for assisting saidcfeedin means in advancing said materialduringthe forward movement of saidteeding meanswhile permitting the same to be withdrawn during the backward movement otthe same without substantial backwardv movement of said material, and means operating to positively retain said material in its'advancedposition during. the backward.moveinent ot' the feeding means.

16. In aimachine foncuttingblanks of a sheet'ot a material in a condition approaching a plasticstate, tee-ding means com-- prising a pluralitvot members resiliently contacting with both sides-of apportion of 17. lna machine for cutting blanks'of a sheet of a materialin aicondition approaching a plastic-state, feeding means comprising a: pluralityof. members resiliently holding between them a portion of said material, one of said members being provided with a plurality of spaced, resilient, material-engaging portions, means for imparting reciprocating motion to said feeding means, means associated with the feeding means for assisting the same in advancing aid material during the forward nioven'ientof said feeding means while permitting the same to be withdrawn during the backward movement of the same without substantial backward movement of said material, and means operating to positively retain said material in its advanced position during the backward movement of the feeding means.

18. In a machine for cutting blanks of a sheet of a material in a condition approaching a plastic state, feeding means comprising a plurality of members resiliently holding between them a portion of said material, each of said members being provided with a plurality of spaced, resilient, naterial-engaging portions, means for imparting reciprocating motion to said feeding means, means associated with the feeding means for assisting the same in advancing said material during the forward movement of said feeding means while permitting the same to be withdrawn during the backward movement of the same without substantial backward movement of said ma terial, and means operated by said feeding means to positively retain said material in its advanced position during the backward movement of the feeding means.

19. In a machine for cutting blanks of a sheet of a material in a condition approaching a plastic state, feeding means compris ing a plurality of members resiliently holding between them a portion of said material of sufficient area to prevent substantial distortion of the material during the feeding operation, one of said members being provided with a plurality of spaced, resilient, material-engaging portions, means for imparting reciprocating motion to said feeding means, means associated with the feeding means for assisting the same in advancing said material during the forward movement of said feeding means ,while permitting the same to be withdrawn during the bac ward movement of the same without substantial backward movement of said material, and means operating to positively retain said material in its advanced position durng the backward movement of the feeding means.

20. In a machine for cutting blanks of a sheet of a material in a condition appreaching a plastic state, feeding means comprising a plurality of members resiliently holding between them a portion of said material of sufficient area to prevent substantial distortion of the material, each of said members being provided with a plurality of spaced, resilient, material-engaging portions, means for imparting reciprocating motion to said feeding means, means associated with thefeeding means for assisting the same in advancing said material during the forward movement of said feeding means while permitting the same to be withdrawn during the backward movement of the same without substantial backward movement of said material, and means operated by said feedin means to positively retain said material in its advanced position during the backward movement of the feeding means.

21. In a machine for cutting blanks of a sheet of a material in a condition approaching a plastic state, feeding means comprising a plurality of members contacting with both sides of a portion of said material of sui'iicicnt area to prevent substantial distortion of the material during the feeding operation, means for imparting reciprocating motion to said feeding means, means associated with said feeding means for assisting said feeding means in advancing said material during the forward movement of said feeding means while permitting the same to be withdrawn during the backward movement of the same without substantial backward movement of said material, means for presenting a portion of said material in slack condition to said feeding means, and means operating to positively retain said material in its advanced position during the backward movement of the feeding means.

22. In a machine for cutting blanks of a sheet of material in a condition approaching a plastic state, feeding means comprising a plurality of members resiliently contasting with both sides of a portion of said material of sufiicient area to prevent substantial distortion of the material during the feeding operation, means for imparting reciprocating motion to said feeding means, means associated with said feeding means for assisting said feeding means in advanoing said material during the forward movement of said feeding means while permitting the same to be i hdrawn during the backward movement of the same without substantial backward m-ov ment of said ma terial, means for presenting a portion of said material in slack condition to said feeding means, and means operated by said feeding means to positively retain said material in its advanced position during the back ward movement of the feeding means.

In a machine for cutting lanks, reciprocating feeding means for intermittently advancing material in the form of a sheet, cutting means intermittently operating transversely of saic. sheet to cut blanks from the same at those intervals of the intermittent advance of the same when the sheet is at rest, and means intermittently actuated to grip the sheet to positively retain said sheet in position during the return movement of said feeding means.

24:. In a machine for cutting blanks, .reciprocating feeding means for intermit tently advancing material in the form of a sheet, cutting means intermittently operatingtransversely of said sheet to cut blanks from the same at those intervals of the intermittent advance of the same when the sheet is at rest, and means operated by said feeding means for positively retaining said sheet in position during the return movement of said feeding means.

'25. In a machine for cutting blanks, ciprocating feeding means for intermittently advancing material in the form of a sheet, cutting means intermittently operating transversely of said sheet to out blanks from the same at those intervals of the intermit tent advance of the same when the sheet is at rest, and means operated by said feeding means for positively retaining said sheet in position during the return movement of said feeding means and by said cutting means to release said sheet for its next forward movement.

26. In a machine for cutting blanks, 'reciprocating feeding means for intermittent-1y advancing material in .the form of a sheet, cutting means intermittently operat ing transversely of said sheet to cut blanks from the same at those intervals of the intermittent advance of the same When the sheet is at rest, and means operating transversely of said sheet and operated by said feeding means for positively retaining said sheet in position during the return move ment of said feeding means. 1

27. In a machine for cutting blanks, =reeiprocating feeding means for intermittent 'ly advancing material in the form of a sheet, cutting means intermittently operating transversely of said sheet to cut sole blanks from the same-at those intervals of the intermittent advance of the same when the sheet is at rest, and means operating transversely of said sheet and operated by said feeding means for positively retaining said sheet in position during the return movement of said feeding means and by said cutting means to release said'sheet for its next forward movement.

28. In a machine for cutting blanks, reciprocating feeding means for intermittently advancing material in the form of a sheet, cutting means intermittently operating transversely of said sheet to cut blanks from the same and comprising a cutting die having an opening permittingthe blank to fall therethrough when the cutting operation is completed, a cutting block cooperating with said die, said die and block being relatively movable towards each other for cutting blanks, vrefrom the same and comprising a cutting edie having an opening permitting the blank :to fall th'erethrough whenithecutting operation is completed,,.a cutting .blockaco-openating with said die, said -;die.and block being rela': tively movable towards each other to ,perform the cutting operation :and away from each other when the cutting operation is completed, and means operated by the cutting means for removing the blank from the die when the cutting operation is completed. 30. In a machine for cutting blanks, re ciprocating feeding means for intermittently advancing material in thejform ofa sheet, cutting means intermittently operating transversely of said sheetq to cut blanks fromithe same and comprising :a cutting die having an opening permitting the blank to fall therethrough when the cuttingi0p eration is completed, a cutting block co operating with said die, said'die andblock being relatively movable towards-each other to perform the cuttingoperation-and .away from each other when the cutting operation is completed, and means for removing the blank and the sheet-from the die when the cutting operation is completed.

31. In 'a machine for cutting blanks, reciprocating feeding means for intermittently advancing material in the form of sheet,cutting means intermittently operating transversely of said sheet ,to cut blanks I from the same and comprising a .cu'ttingdie having an opening permitting the blank rto fall therethrough when the .cutting operation is completed a cutting block 1co-operating with said die, said die and said-block being relatively movable towards each other to perform the cutting operation and away from each other when the cuttingoperation is, completed, 211182118 for removing the .sheet from the die when the :cuttingoperation is completed, and means operated bythe cut ting means for, removing the ,blank from the die.

82. In ,a machineforicuttingiblanks, :re- 7 cipro'cating feeding meansforintermittent- 1y advancing material in the form of a sheet, cutting means intermittently operating transversely of said vsheet toqcut blanks from the same and-comprising a cutting die having an opening permitting the blank to fall there-through when the cutting operation is completed, a cutting block co-operating with said die, said die and block being relatively movable towards each other to perform the cutting operation and away from each other when the cutting operation means;for removing the blank from the die.

33. In a machine for cutting blanks of material in sheet form, feeding means for intermittently advancing said material, cutting means intermittently operating transversely. of said sheet and comprising a cutting die having an opening therethrough, a support for said die having an opening therethrough corresponding to and in alignment with said first-mentioned opening, a cutting block, said die and block being relativ'ely movable towardseach other to perform thecutting operation and away from each other when the cutting operation is completed, means for freeing the blank from the die and ejecting the same through said openings, and means for moving said receiving means.

84. In a machine for cutting blanks of material in sheet form, feeding means for intermittently advancing said material, cutting means intermittently operating transversely of said sheet and comprising a cutting die having an opening therethrough, a support'for said die having an opening therethrough corresponding to and in alignment with said first-mentioned opening, a cutting block, means for moving said block toward said die to perform the cutting operation and away from said die when the cutting oper ation is completed, means for freeing the blank from the die and ejecting the same through said openings, means for receiving the blank when it falls through said openings, and means for -moving said receiving means.

' 35. In a machine for cutting blanks of material in sheet form, feeding means for intermittently advancing said material, cutting means intermittently operating transversely of said sheet andcomprising a cutting die having an opening therethrough, a support for said die having an opening therethrough corresponding to and in alignment with said first-mentioned opening, a cutting block, said die and block being relatively movable towards each other to perform the cutting operation and away from each other when the cutting operation is completed, means operated by the cutting means for freeing the blank from the die and ejecting the same through said openings, means for receiving the blank when it falls through amaze said openings, and means for moving said receiving means.

36. In a machine for cuttlng blanks of material in sheet form, feeding means for intermittently advancing said material, cutting means intermittently operating transversely of said sheet and comprising a cutting die having an opening therethrough, a support for said die having an opening therethrough corresponding to and in alignment with said first-mentioned opening, a cutting block, means for moving said block toward said die to perform the cutting operation and away from said die when the cutting operation is completed, means operated by the cutting means for freeing the blank from the die and ejecting the same through said openings, means for receiving the blank when it falls through said openings, and means for moving said receiving means.

37. In a machine for cutting blanks of material in sheet form, feeding means for intermittently advancing said material, cutting means intermittently operating transversely of said sheet and comprising a cutting die having an opening therethrough, a support for said die having an opening therethrough corresponding to and in alignment with said first-mentioned opening, a cutting block, means for moving said block towards said, die to perform the cutting operation and away from said die when the cutting operation is completed, and means associated with said block for freeing the blank from the die and ejecting the same through said openings.

88. In a machine for cutting blanks of material in sheet form, feeding means forintermittently advancing said material, cutting means intermittently operating transversely of said sheet and comprising a cut-- ting die having an opening therethrough, a

support for said die having an opening therethrough corresponding to and in align ment with said first-mentioned opening, a cutting block, means for moving said block towards said die to perform the cutting operation and away from said die when the cutting operation is completed, and meansassociated with said block and operated by the cutting means for freeing the blank from the die andejecting the same through said openlngs.

In testimony whereof, I have signed my name to this specification this eighth day of April 1919.

JOHN H. OVERTON. Witness:

WALTER H. GRAT'roN. 

